We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Environmental exposure to microplastics: a scoping review on potential human health effects and knowledge gaps
AI summary Read the abstract
This scoping review searched multiple academic databases to synthesize evidence on potential human health effects of microplastic exposure. The authors found that while microplastics are omnipresent in human environments, direct evidence of health harm in humans remains limited, with significant knowledge gaps in long-term exposure effects and dose-response relationships.
Background: Microplastics are fast becoming a major global environmental contaminant. Little is known about the health effects of microplastic exposure to humans despite being omnipresent in all spheres of life and ecology. This scoping review explores the existing evidence of potential human health effects of microplastics and subsequent knowledge gaps. Methods: An electronic search of published articles in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar was conducted, using a combination of subject headings and keywords for microplastics and human health effects. Documents only published in English between 2004 and March 2020 were included. A grey literature search was conducted following a comprehensive checklist in Google Scholar and the environmental organization websites. The initial search resulted in 17,043 published articles and grey literature. After a full review of published articles and their references, 125 publications were identified for further detailed review. Throughout the screening process, every document was reviewed by at least two of the researchers. Results: These articles indicate that human exposure to microplastics might occur through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact due to its presence in food, water, air, and consumer products. Microplastics exposure can cause particle toxicity through oxidative stress, inflammatory lesions, and increased uptake or translocation. Several studies have demonstrated the potentiality of metabolic disturbances, neurotoxicity, increased cancer risk, and reproductive toxicity in humans. Moreover, microplastics were found to release their constituent compounds and those adsorbed onto its surface in human tissues. Conclusion: Knowledge of microplastic toxicity on human health is still limited. Further research is needed to quantify the effect of microplastics on human health and pathogenesis.
More Papers Like This
Environmental exposure to microplastics: a scoping review on human health effects
AI summary Read the abstract
This scoping review systematically examined published evidence on the health effects of microplastic exposure in humans. It found that human exposure is certain and widespread, but that data on dose-response relationships and specific health outcomes are still limited — highlighting an urgent need for rigorous human health studies.
Potential human health risks due to environmental exposure to nano- and microplastics and knowledge gaps: A scoping review
AI summary Read the abstract
This scoping review surveyed existing research on the potential human health effects of exposure to micro- and nanoplastics. The evidence suggests these particles may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune disruption, but the review highlights major knowledge gaps and calls for more studies specifically focused on human health outcomes.
Knowledge gaps on micro and nanoplastics and human health: A critical review
AI summary Read the abstract
This critical review assessed current evidence on micro- and nanoplastic exposure and human health, concluding that while humans are ubiquitously exposed via food, water, and air, the long-term health effects of chronic low-level exposure remain poorly understood.
The potential effects of microplastics on human health: What is known and what is unknown
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes what is currently known about how microplastics might affect human health, noting that while contamination is widespread in food, water, and air, direct evidence of harm in humans is still limited. Studies in animals and cell cultures suggest microplastics could trigger immune responses, cause inflammation, and affect reproduction and development. The authors call for more rigorous clinical studies to determine whether the levels of microplastics that people actually encounter pose real health risks.
Microplastics: Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
AI summary Read the abstract
This review covers what is currently known about microplastic pollution's effects on both the environment and human health, summarizing evidence from studies on wildlife, ecosystems, and human exposure pathways. The authors note that while concern is growing, definitive conclusions about human health risks remain elusive due to limited clinical research.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.